Allen Lazard is a Packer for the 2022-2023 season. Signing his restricted free agent tender after the Packer’s mandatory minicamp, Lazard sent a clear statement. Lazard wanted what every NFL player is hoping for from their team; some stability.
Lazard has worked his way from undrafted free agent making the team in 2018 to a starter that out performed all three of the drafted wideouts Brian Gutekunst thought were better in that same draft.
In 2018 the Packers shelled out a whopping $56,470 for Lazard’s services after signing him off the Jacksonville Jaguar practice squad on December 18, 2018. That combined parlay of the Jaguars and Packers netted one catch for seven yards. In 2021, Lazard had 40 catches for 513 yards including 8 touchdowns. He dropped one pass the entire season. He was a fearless blocker in the run game and earned the trust of his quarterback. At twenty six years old he wants to be a Packer long term. He is 6’5” and weighs 225 lbs. He is a physical mismatch in the pass and run game.
The Packers have money and yet, Lazard is not signing a multi-year deal. If Gutekunst felt the Packers held all the cards then he has learned nothing from failing to extend Davante Adams before the 2021-2022 season. The Packers have lived in the luxury of wideouts knowing Aaron Rodgers, for all his quirks, will deliver an accurate ball and help them keep their jobs. Yes, Davante Adams is saying he wanted to play with his old friend in Vegas, but second on that list of priorities is Rodgers won’t be playing that much longer. Adams wants to be in the hall of fame. He thinks Derek Carr is a better bet that Jordan Love. Today, his choice is the best bet for his future. Carr can make a receiver a one thousand yard stat man year in and year out. Jordan Love hasn’t proven he can be even an average starting NFL quarterback.
But what Adams is staying silent on is Gutekunst’s refusal to pay him market value in 2021. When asked why the negotiations with Adams were not resolved with an extension in August of 2021, Gutekunst offered this gem;
“With that particular situation, it’s how you interpret what the highest wide receiver in the National Football League is getting paid.” That is the quote of a failure. He wouldn’t pony up, and the next year when he tried to cover his backside, the best receiver in football gave him the finger and rode out of town.
So while many pundits will say the Packers held all the cards in the Lazard decision, they aren’t looking at the future. Next year Lazard will be a free agent and there is no Davante Adams ahead of him to lower his number of targets in 2022. If he stays healthy Lazard could easily be a thousand yard, ten touchdown, prime target for Rodgers. If that happens the Packers will be kicking themselves for letting Lazard price them out of his market. The Packers have three rookie draftees with lots of promise, but they have no idea if the rookies will turn into Davante Adams or J’Mon Moore (who is currently playing for the New Jersey Generals in the USFL sitting on their injured- non active list. )
The Packers refused to pay Adams what he thought the market reflected in 2021. Now they are refusing to pay Lazard what he believes he has proven his talent is worth. Lazard’s delay in signing is sending a message to Brian Gutekunst. The same message Davante Adams sent in 2021. Apparently, the message is still falling on deaf ears.
“With that particular situation, it’s how you interpret what the highest wide receiver in the National Football League is getting paid.” – Gute
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Gute is 100% absolutely correct.
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Hopkins “advertised” average per year was/is not reality. Just because he got a 2 year 54 million dollar extension, does not mean he’s averaging 27 million a year.
He made 27 million in 2020 as that was when he received his signing bonus.
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Looking it up, back in 2020….Schefter had a bead on this….
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Added to the three years left on his current contract, the extension gives him $94 million over the next five seasons for an average of $18.8 million per year, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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It was great that Adams agent used it to sucker punch the Raiders. He did his job.
Lets keep in mind, nobody in the NFL is trying to emulate the business moves of the Raiders.
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Facts matter.
PF4L is 100% absolutely correct regarding Hopkins contract value. Adams and his agent played the game, that Adams needed to better Hopkins at 27.5 million a year. That was never what Hopkins was earning a year over the term of his contract with the extension. A little secret Adam’s five year contract for 140,000,000 over five years (28 mil) is really a three year contract for 75 million (25 mil). No way are the Raiders going to pay out the base amounts in the final 2 years without a restructure. No doubt Adams is making some serious dollars, and Adams will be a loss to the Packers. I just don’t think the Packers would have been wise to pay what the Raiders forked out.
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My guess is Lazard is wanting MVS dollars at a minimum. Three years 30 million. Somewhere (spotrac?) I read that Lazard should get a contract around 7 million a year for three years. To me that is close enough that the two sides could still work something out before the regular season starts.
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Even though Gutekunst and LaFleur cut Lazard over Sheppard, I think both now value Lazard. How much is the question? After seeing what happened with Tonyon last year and this year, I think Lazard would show some flexibility for some more guaranteed money over a 2 or 3 year contact extension.
Brian Gutekunst refused to let the ridiculous DeAndre Hopkins contract set the standard for negotiations anymore than than the 240 million guaranteed to Deshaun Watson is the new standard for NFL QB’s. The fact of the matter is you can find WR’s anywhere. Donald Driver was a 7th round pick, MVS just signed for 10 million per and he was drafted in the 5th round. While Lazard himself was a practice squad player. I have no problem with Lazard wanting more money and if he has a big year he’ll get paid accordingly either by us or someone else. If either of Gutekunst’s rookie WR’s hits, he may decide to spend the money elsewhere and let Lazard walk. As for Davante Adams he picked money and stats over a chance for a ring, his choice. I say he never sniffs the SB with Derek Carr and Vegas. He’ll be buried behind Mahomes, Wilson, and Herbert.
Life is about choices Paul. Gutekunst sets a value for a player either with a dollar amount or trade value and doesn’t waiver. If he were to “pony up” and pay Adams then there’d be no money for Rasul Douglas, Devontra Campbell or quite possibly Jaire Alexander. With extensions looming for Jenkins, Gary, and Savage. Davante Adams wasn’t even the best WR on the field in the playoff loss to the 49ers. The younger, faster, more dynamic Deebo Samuel was. You can promise anyone the moon and the stars but if they’ve made up their mind, it doesn’t matter. Adams had made up his mind and he was gone. I think the offer Gutekunst made at the end was to appease Rodgers and fans like yourself to say, “ see, I tried.” In reality, it was already a done deal. It seems to me Gutekunst preferred to pay his defensive guys all along. As far as Lazard, Rodgers seems to think he’s a number one WR. I’m skeptical to say the least. Evidently Gutekunst is as well. If Lazard can show he’s the man, then Gutekunst has shown he isn’t opposed to paying market value for a player. Just so long as that value isn’t over inflated by a bad contract.
So entertaining 😁
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“If Lazard can show he’s the man, then Gutekunst has shown he isn’t opposed to paying market value for a player. Just so long as that value isn’t over inflated by a bad contract.
See Jimmy Graham, see Wilkerson, see Kevin King, see Preston Smith, etc…….
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** Gee…is Aaron Rodgers worth 50 million a year? Is that a contract worth the money, is it market value?
Gute seems to think so.
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This nugget 🤔
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” The fact of the matter is you can find WR’s anywhere.” – NFL Think Tank
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Gee Princess…is that why Gute hasn’t been able to score a legit #2 wide receiver since Nelson left????
Where’s Devin Funchess when you need him.
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” Davante Adams wasn’t even the best WR on the field in the playoff loss to the 49ers. The younger, faster, more dynamic Deebo Samuel was.”
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Deebo Samuels (3 catches..44 yards) wasn’t the best receiver on the field in the last playoff game vs the 9’ers.
Davante Adams (9 catches…90 yards) wasn’t the best receiver on the field that game neither.
The best receiver on the field in that game was running back Aaron Jones (9 catches..129 yards).
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Viking fans say the darnedest things 😏
I can think of 4 WR’s off the top of my head that I’d rather have than 25 million dollar man Davante Adams. They are Justin Jefferson, JaMar Chase, Deebo Samuel, and Cooper Kupp. Samuel drafted in the second, like Adams, and Kupp in the 3rd. So yes Kevin, WR’s can be found everywhere and are NOT just a 1st round commodity. This whole fixation on Gutekunst drafting a WR in the first round is total nonsense. As far as your favorite whipping boy Jimmy Graham, the market value for the veteran TE was 10 million per. After he left the Packers he signed a deal with the Bears for very similar numbers. It seems to me Gutekunst set Adams value at 20 million and wouldn’t budge until Adams had made up his mind to move on. Thanks for the memories. Go back and watch the game winning drive by the 49ers in the divisional playoff game. Deebo Samuel made plays. Davante Adams did not. But that would require you to look beyond the stat sheet which is well above your IQ. Personally, I would have traded Rodgers and have said as much. I’d have given Jordan Love his shot this year and if he’s not the answer, then drafted a blue chip QB prospect next year with the Rodgers draft capital. Rodgers was going to get paid whether it was with the Packers or the Broncos. Because that’s what the market will bear for a QB that puts up pretty numbers, wins awards, but can’t win in the playoffs.
The ink had barely dried on Aaron Rodgers 150 million dollar contract and already he’s started talking about retirement. This could easily be his last year. Let’s assume Aaron Rodgers does what he always does. Wins a bunch of regular season games and chokes in the playoffs. Then after 17 seasons decides he’s had enough and holds a tearful good bye presser on the Pat MacAfee pod cast. So tell me, who’s our QB next year? Jordan Love? But you girls wanted to trade him so we could draft a WR or some such nonsense. Kevin’s personal favorite Kurt Benkert? He may not beat out Danny Etling for the practice squad. Most of you can’t comprehend life without Rodgers. But that time is coming. Brian Gutekunst has to be prepared for such a scenario even if the rest of you can’t.
Contracts… It is unusual for NFL teams to let a Head coach or GM to be on the last year of their contract without an extension, if they want to keep them. If I recall correctly both Gutekunst (5 yr. Jan, 2018) and LaFleur (4 yr. Jan, 2019) are on the last year of their contracts. I would guess that Russ Ball is working to get contract extensions done with both prior to training camp or no later than the start of the regular season. That is if the Packers have not already extended one or both and they are waiting to announce?
Tom M June 16, 2022
I can think of 4 WR’s off the top of my head that I’d rather have than 25 million dollar man Davante Adams. They are Justin Jefferson, JaMar Chase, Deebo Samuel, and Cooper Kupp. Samuel drafted in the second, like Adams, and Kupp in the 3rd. So yes Kevin, WR’s can be found everywhere and are NOT just a 1st round commodity.
I guess Gute just couldn’t find any….and then ended up empty handed.
Anyone know if 4th round pick J’Mon Moore is available?
Well Tommi….J’Mon Moore was selected with the second pick of the *fourteenth* round of the 2022 USFL Draft by the New Jersey Generals.
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But….i think Gutes former 4th round pick, could be snatched away from the Generals for a happy meal and a vanilla ice cream cone (with sprinkles).
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Yep Princess….receivers can be found anywhere, unless of course Gute drafts them or signs them as free agents.
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Tom M…..Thanks for understanding 🙄
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SKOL
Tom M June 17, 2022
Most of you can’t comprehend life without Rodgers. But that time is coming. Brian Gutekunst has to be prepared for such a scenario even if the rest of you can’t.
WAIT!!!!
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Rodgers can’t be the Packers QB forever, it has to end at some point?
WTF??…..See….that’s why i come here, to learn………………
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Of course Gute has to be prepared for the end of the Rodgers era.
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Isn’t that why he spent a high value pick on Jordan Love…and a 4th round pick?
Yes it is, because as Gute has said…that move was made in the best interest of the Green Bay Packers.
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Luckily Gute didn’t waste that pick in 2020 and do something stupid like trade up for Justin Jefferson.
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Nope…because of Gute we have our next QB for a decade plus….amirite?
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I can’t wait for that 2020 first round pick to get off the bench and show us what he’s made of.
OR….what Gute can get in a trade, 2 1sst rounds?
A 1st and a fourth round?
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Let me know how that story ends ….. Princess.
I love happy endings.
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Just ask your sister.
How this must be a sad day for you Kevin. Camp arm Kurt Benkert was just cut by the Packers. It just seems so unreal after your glowing evaluation of him last summer. Why, he had better “stats” than Jordan Love! I’m sure you envisioned him as a potential “team captain” this year. You may come here to learn. I come here for the belly laughs. You never disappoint. J’mon Moore? Is that all you got? So you love happy endings? Then you and Deshawn Watson have something in common.
Jake Kumerow was cut by the Buffalo Bills. You remember Touchdown Jesus. Except he never caught TD’s. He didn’t catch passes either which is kind of important when your a WR. He was just another one of those fringe players much like Kevin’s favorite Kurt Benkert so Gutekunst moved on. The Uber Diva himself was so offended that his buddy was cut, and wasn’t in on the decision making process, he demanded to be traded. To be far, it wasn’t the only issue on why he wanted out, but it was one of several petty reasons. Jake Kumerow’s time in Buffalo mirrored his time in Green Bay and New Orleans, and wherever else he’s bounced around. He didn’t do much. If Rodgers loved Kumerow so much he should have thrown him the ball. That’s hard to do when Erin has to get his BBF Davante Adams his 10-15 touches a game. Gotta have those stats, right Kevin?
Tommi….
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10-15 touches a game?
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Funny….you once said he gets 15-20 catches a game.
Are you confused…or do you just find it difficult to keep your bullshit straight?
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Speaking of…can you explain to us ladies how a team guarantee’s a players 5th year option on a 1st round pick, right after the draft?
I’ve asked you that about 5 times now, either you ignore it, or you just don’t understand the question.
If so…i can rephrase the question if it would help you to understand it.
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I hope you get better….. have a good weekend Champ.
If you look at this team from the time Brian Gutekunst took over as GM, every position group is significantly better than it was 4 years ago. With the exception perhaps of TE. Everything from backup QB to CB is better. So why then can’t Gutekunst make the WR position group better now? I say he can and he has. Now, you can argue it should have been a higher priority. But it was never going to be a high priority as long as Davante Adams was on the roster and other needs more pressing. I think 7 WR’s make this team. Lazard, Watkins, Cobb, Rodgers, Watson, Doubs, and Toure. With Taylor and Winfree on the practice squad. I think the veterans Lazard, Watkins, and Cobb carry the team early as the young guys transition to the pro game. Then, by the time the playoffs rolls around, one or two of the young guys will be up to speed. So I don’t see the drama here that everyone else does. For me the real question is, what do we have with Jordan Love? How many games can we reasonably expect to win if he were QB? Because come January, win, lose, or draw the Aaron Rodgers retirement bullshit will be in full swing until about mid March when FA starts. And Gutekunst has to have a plan a B if Erin decides to pull a tearful good bye. It would be nice to know if Jordan Love is a viable option at QB. For my money, that’s the far bigger question than all this WR nonsense. Jordan Love is who I’m focusing on in camp next month. But you ladies fuss and fret over the WR’s and what a shitty GM we have because he’s been mean to Erin. And in the meantime ignore the big picture.
Aaron Rodgers has a new beard, I mean “girlfriend.” And she’s all kinds of bat shit crazy! Her name is “Blu” and she identifies as a “witch” and a “medicine woman” although she’s not into labeling. Ok, sweetheart, whatever you say. She makes Shailene Woodley and her sun dried vagina almost seem normal. Almost. I long for the days of talentless Danica Patrick who could never race NASCAR without running into the wall or a fellow driver. At least the attention whore Olivia Munn was easy on the eyes but if I have to see one more post of that ugly baby of hers or listen to her bitch about the baby formula shortage, I’m gonna scream! You’d think with all that money Erin could score himself some premium pussy. Evidently he prefers the Everyman variety. To each his own I suppose….
You’d think with all your spare time, you could find something more interesting to do with your life than researching Rodgers girlfriends online to critique them on a Packer website.
I mean…besides the time you spend on the computer concerning your obsessive Rodgers hatred.
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Seriously Tommi….consider getting help. There is a great big wonderful world outside.
Look Kevin, it’s right there when you look up Packer news. You don’t have to go looking for it. You’ll find it right next to all the Aaron Rodgers stats you love to jerk off to. Besides, this could be a good thing. Maybe “Blu” can cast a “witches spell” and exorcise Erin’s playoff demons. Or maybe she concocts a “witches brew” so he won’t throw shitty passes into double coverage in January. At this point, I’d piss on a spark plug if I thought It’d help….
Piss on a spark plug?
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Tell me…..Can you squat low enough to hit it?
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“It’d”…..lol…i love you man!!
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Stay in school kids!
As long as you have a face Kevin, I’ll have a place to sit and therefore a place to piss. The very homely and limited talent known as Jared Goff just got engaged to a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. And not one of the fat ones either. And here’s Erin, chasing after crazy again. Not exactly the best way to convince everyone your straight. So don’t give up Kevin, there’s still a chance you two can get back together.
You don’t give up either Tiger, life is worth living.
Look, I’m not here to break anyone’s Aaron Rodgers hetero bubble. Because we all know he’s the best ever and all that. Even thought no one ever admits to saying it. We just admire him from afar. Making an observation here. Most rich, powerful, successful men, which Aaron qualifies, have trophy wives. Former models or college cheerleaders. They certainly don’t waste their time on the Shailene Woodley’s or Danica Patrick’s of this world. Or whatever the hell “Blu the internet witch is.” Some men do prefer the intellectual type and that’s fine. But Woodley, Patrick, Munn, and “Blu” hardly qualify as deep thinkers. Basically you’ve got D list celebrities hitching a ride on the Aaron Rodgers bandwagon because these ladies aren’t talented enough to stay relevant on their own. They get free publicity as Rodgers “girlfriend”and Aaron gets to tell everyone, look, I’m not gay. It all screams business transaction to me. But let’s all pretend it’s not….
Sure, why not…and lets all pretend you’re as highly educated as you claim to be.
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“Even thought no one ever admits to saying it.”
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Stay in school kids!
Sure Kevin, attack me personally but you never refute what I say. You never have a compelling comment about anything. You spend all your time either quoting stats or quoting me. “Me thinks Aaron Rodgers best QB ever!” “Me thinks Aaron Rodgers is a poon hound!” “Me thinks you should stay in school and be smart like me!” And what’s your education level Kevin? I’m guessing GED with an exciting career in the food service industry. You don’t have to be Einstein to know that Aaron Rodgers isn’t Tom Brady. You don’t have to be Einstein to know Aaron Rodgers isn’t straight either. But feel free to take a trip to the land of make believe with Mr Rodgers. Your both fooling yourself.
I never refute what you say?
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Do you have any mental health, drug and/or alcohol problems son?
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Whenever i refute what you say (multiple times) you ignore it, every time.
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Here’s the thing Princess…..I (and others) in here don’t care if Rodgers is straight or not.
His personal life isn’t my business.
If he’s gay, he’s gay.
If he’s bi, he’s bi.
If he’s straight, he’s straight
Live and let live…..you’ll feel better.
Living in obsessive angst, is no way to live.
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YOU…are the only one in here who has a problem with it.
YOU..are the only one in here who constantly brings it up.
YOU…are the only one in here who obsesses over Rodgers…Professionally, and personally.
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You…Princess/Killer
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While you love to stand in judgement of others.
Me thinks you need to look in the mirror.
Listen to what I’m saying Kevin. Be who you are. Aaron tries too hard to be straight. In this day and age you don’t have to. But for some reason he feels compelled to play the game. It makes for a great deal of self loathing. It seems to me he was a lot happier earlier in his career when he had his male roommate. I’m a strong believer in a happy QB is a better QB. Remember when his play dropped off around the time he started up with Olivia Munn with some fans attributing her for his loss in production? I think his family knows who he is and I think that’s why he’s distanced himself from them. To understand the man is to understand the QB. In order to do that Kevin, you have to look beyond the stats. Something your not capable of doing.
I believe what you’re trying to say is… “I’m a strong believer (that) a happy QB is a better QB.”
Well 🤔.
I believe Rodgers and Munn started dating in early 2014. Wasn’t that the same season Rodgers won his 2nd MVP?
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You keep on trying sweetheart.
Never give up.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to know that Aaron Rodgers isn’t Tom Brady. “
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Seriously, what the fuck is your problem? This infatuation with repeating “Aaron Rodgers isn’t Tom Brady” is just fucking weird.
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“Me thinks Aaron Rodgers is a poon hound!”
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I don’t recall PF4L claiming or ever caring about Rodgers being a “poon hound.” Please provide your sources.
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“And what’s your education level Kevin? I’m guessing GED.” Followed by- “Your both fooling yourself.”
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Lol. Wow…
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“Whenever i refute what you say (multiple times) you ignore it, every time.”-PF4L
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Ya hit the nail on the head there PF4L. Every time someone calls him out on his shit he turns into a ghost and disappears, only to pop up later spouting the same garbage over and over again. It’s like a game of Whac-A-Mole.
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Go Pack Go!
Excuse me Cheese if I don’t reply promptly to your every retort in a timely fashion. You and Kevin go back to playing with Erin’s stats like it’s your favorite appendage. Tell each other he’s the best. Then claim you never said it. Let those more self aware contemplate the meaning of life. Aaron Rodgers tells you who he is if you but look and listen. You accept Rodgers not for who he is, but rather who you want him to be. Which happens to be as real as Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny.